Caretaker accused of stealing $115K from elderly woman

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Police say an elderly woman has lost her life savings after her caretaker was arrested on allegations of elderly abuse.

Officers arrested Cindy Hudson at her Steele Creek Friday.

Police said 90-year-old Constance Pearce hired Hudson in 2011 to take care of her ailing husband; after his death, investigators said Hudson was employed at Pearce's home around the clock to assist with daily chores.

Investigators said Hudson used a relationship of trust to slowly take over Pearce's finances, and was even granted power of attorney in December 2013.

"Pearce was competent and she could make decisions, she was just fooled," said Sgt. Walter Bowling of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Bowling said family members became suspicious of Hudson's intentions and contacted CMPD.

Detectives said through the course of their investigation, they discovered Hudson stole $115,000 over nearly three years through Pearce's credit cards, debit cards, and personal checks.

"She was either using it for herself or giving it to friends or family," Bowling said.